Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

It’s cheesy, corny, and everything that my husband isn’t. Or the man I knew until yesterday.

I slip out of my heels and put the slippers on. A groan slips out of me as my feet meet the plush fur. I snap a picture, making sure that my purple-painted toenails are clearly visible.

Me: I give you 10/10 on your performance as a husband. In fact, I think you’re even compensating for your asshole, bossy vibes with this new charm.

Boss aka Charles Asshole Hawthorne: Don’t worry, that asshole boss isn’t far away.

While the three dots dance under his text, indicating he’s still typing something, I change his name on my contact list.

Husband aka Charles Adorable Hawthorne: This gift is also to remind you who you are, Mrs. Hawthorne. Now be a good wife and get to work.

This time I don’t even try to stop the butterflies taking flight inside my stomach as I imagine Charles repeating those same words, but we’re talking about a very different type of work.

I fan my face and drop my phone on my desk.

You are going to hell, Daisy.

Get to work means get to work and not think about Charles’ beautiful face graced by a five o’clock shadow, his pink lips, which are so soft and full that they make me jealous and hot at the same time, or his erection, which feels like it could take any girl on the ride of her life.

It takes another half hour for me to bring my focus back on the work at hand.

I sift through my inbox and move a ton of congratulatory emails to a separate folder so I don’t forget to reply with a personal note of thanks later. Finally, I reach the email about Vincent’s site and am shocked to find the construction union rep complaining about the weak infrastructure and unsafe working conditions.

I go through the reports and call the head of the construction company.

“Good morning, Mr. Buffay. This is Daisy from Hawthorne Holdings. What’s going on with the new construction site? I thought everything was on track.”

“Hi, Daisy. I mean…Mrs. Hawthorne.”

We both pause until I clear my throat and smile, even though the older man can’t see it. “Please call me Daisy. It’s worked all these years.”

“Sounds good. First of all, congratulations on the wedding. I didn’t expect you to be back to work already.”

“One day off for the wedding day was enough of a break for Charles, and I didn’t want my husband to miss his second wife—his work—too much.”

He chuckles. “You’re a funny one, as always. Regarding the construction”—his voice gets serious—“I have no idea what changed in the last forty-eight hours. Everything was going as planned until two days back.”

“Can you meet me at the site and we can figure out what’s going on?”

“Sure. If you like, I can pick you up at your office.”

“Oh, that’ll be good. Then I’ll wait for your call when you’re close to the Hawthorne Tower.” It’s not the first time I’ll be riding with one of our business partners for work.

“You got it.”

An hour later, Mr. Buffay and I are standing outside the building, if we can use that term for the four walls that sway with a heavy gust of wind.

I tug on the collar of my coat to stop my shivering in the cold. My teeth chatter as I turn to Mr. Buffay. “Let’s get in and then we can talk to the workers and the supervisor.”

But when we step inside, the place is empty except for one worker, who’s also hurrying to the door.

“Hi, sir. Where is everyone?”

“Everyone’s gone.” The worker looks over his shoulder. “This place isn’t safe.”

“Wait, please.” I run after him, which is a dangerous thing to do in heels in this place that’s on the verge of falling any minute. “Where’s your supervisor?”

“He was the first to leave once we found out that the construction material is dirt cheap. It’s unsafe and hazardous. This place will collapse any minute. If you’re here for proof, you can check the super’s office. There are some files and reports.” With those departing words, the worker in blue overalls leaves without waiting for any more of my questions.